Celebrate World Tequila Day with our Picantes
Raise a glass with one (or two) of our signature cocktails – or a limited-edition twist – and discover the history behind this Soho House favourite
Monday 20 July 2026 By Anna D’Alessio
Celebrated every year on 24 July, World Tequila Day is a tribute to Mexico’s famous agave spirit – one that holds a special place across Soho House menus. And few serves embody our cocktail culture quite like the Picante de la Casa, which was first created in 2012 by Bar Manager Chris Ojeda at Soho House West Hollywood.
Today, this House Tonic is the bestselling cocktail across our clubs worldwide, cementing its status as a true member favourite. So, to mark World Tequila Day, enjoy the original Picante at your local House, explore our limited-edition seasonal twists, or recreate it at home. Plus, in the UK, we’re marking the occasion with a specially curated menu featuring the classic and Red Card Picantes, tequila shots, the beloved Paloma, and The Chaser – a crisp pairing of Asahi Super Dry lager with Patrón Silver tequila and tajin – available exclusively on Friday 24 July.
Today, this House Tonic is the bestselling cocktail across our clubs worldwide, cementing its status as a true member favourite. So, to mark World Tequila Day, enjoy the original Picante at your local House, explore our limited-edition seasonal twists, or recreate it at home. Plus, in the UK, we’re marking the occasion with a specially curated menu featuring the classic and Red Card Picantes, tequila shots, the beloved Paloma, and The Chaser – a crisp pairing of Asahi Super Dry lager with Patrón Silver tequila and tajin – available exclusively on Friday 24 July.
A brief history of the Picante
In 2012, Soho House bartenders and managers gathered in London to define the cocktails that would shape the group’s bar programme for the coming decade. Among the standout contenders was the Margarita Picante, a spicy tequila cocktail created by former Soho Beach House Miami Beverage Manager Chris Hudnall that had already become a local favourite. To make the drink easier to recreate across Houses – with the same taste profile, look and quality – Soho House West Hollywood Bar Manager Chris Ojeda streamlined the recipe, removing some of its more complex ingredients and transforming it into a simpler, spicy Margarita. The result was the Picante de la Casa – and the rest is history.
The classic
Fresh and vibrant, the Picante de la Casa blends Patrón Reposado tequila with fresh chilli, coriander, and lime juice, delivering the perfect balance of citrus and spice. Whether enjoyed on one of our sunny rooftops, or during an evening with friends, it’s a cocktail that continues to stand the test of time – just as popular today as when it was created nearly 15 years ago.
The Red Card
Introduced to celebrate football’s biggest tournament taking place across the US, Canada, and Mexico this summer, the Red Card Picante is a limited-edition twist on the House favourite. Patrón Reposado tequila is combined with watermelon, cucumber, lime juice, and fresh mint for a bright, cooling flavour profile, while a tajin rim adds a spicy kick.
The Green Smash
Herbaceous, tropical, and packed with signature Picante character, the Green Smash offers a fruitier take on the original – and it’s back by popular demand after it took drinks menus by storm last summer. Patrón Reposado tequila is paired with pineapple and lime, then balanced with cucumber, basil, and chilli.
Make it at home
Can’t make it to your local House? You can still raise a glass to World Tequila Day from home. Try your hand at mixing the classic Picante de la Casa, and for a richer, smokier twist, simply swap the tequila for mezcal. Cheers.
Ingredients
Chilli pepper (about ¼ inch wide)
10 coriander (cilantro) leaves with stems
2oz/ 50ml reposado tequila (substitute: any tequila you have available)
0.75oz/ 20ml agave nectar (substitute: .75oz/ 20ml of honey)
1oz/ 25ml fresh lime juice
Garnish
Top end (stem) of the chilli pepper
Glass
Rocks
Method
Cut the small piece of chilli and press it with a muddler in a cocktail shaker tin. Hand-clap the coriander (cilantro) and drop it in. Add the rest of the ingredients, then shake and fine strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Cut off the top end of the chilli pepper and place – stem upwards – in the drink to garnish.
Visit the events page to see what’s coming up at our Houses around the world
In 2012, Soho House bartenders and managers gathered in London to define the cocktails that would shape the group’s bar programme for the coming decade. Among the standout contenders was the Margarita Picante, a spicy tequila cocktail created by former Soho Beach House Miami Beverage Manager Chris Hudnall that had already become a local favourite. To make the drink easier to recreate across Houses – with the same taste profile, look and quality – Soho House West Hollywood Bar Manager Chris Ojeda streamlined the recipe, removing some of its more complex ingredients and transforming it into a simpler, spicy Margarita. The result was the Picante de la Casa – and the rest is history.
The classic
Fresh and vibrant, the Picante de la Casa blends Patrón Reposado tequila with fresh chilli, coriander, and lime juice, delivering the perfect balance of citrus and spice. Whether enjoyed on one of our sunny rooftops, or during an evening with friends, it’s a cocktail that continues to stand the test of time – just as popular today as when it was created nearly 15 years ago.
The Red Card
Introduced to celebrate football’s biggest tournament taking place across the US, Canada, and Mexico this summer, the Red Card Picante is a limited-edition twist on the House favourite. Patrón Reposado tequila is combined with watermelon, cucumber, lime juice, and fresh mint for a bright, cooling flavour profile, while a tajin rim adds a spicy kick.
The Green Smash
Herbaceous, tropical, and packed with signature Picante character, the Green Smash offers a fruitier take on the original – and it’s back by popular demand after it took drinks menus by storm last summer. Patrón Reposado tequila is paired with pineapple and lime, then balanced with cucumber, basil, and chilli.
Make it at home
Can’t make it to your local House? You can still raise a glass to World Tequila Day from home. Try your hand at mixing the classic Picante de la Casa, and for a richer, smokier twist, simply swap the tequila for mezcal. Cheers.
Ingredients
Chilli pepper (about ¼ inch wide)
10 coriander (cilantro) leaves with stems
2oz/ 50ml reposado tequila (substitute: any tequila you have available)
0.75oz/ 20ml agave nectar (substitute: .75oz/ 20ml of honey)
1oz/ 25ml fresh lime juice
Garnish
Top end (stem) of the chilli pepper
Glass
Rocks
Method
Cut the small piece of chilli and press it with a muddler in a cocktail shaker tin. Hand-clap the coriander (cilantro) and drop it in. Add the rest of the ingredients, then shake and fine strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Cut off the top end of the chilli pepper and place – stem upwards – in the drink to garnish.
Visit the events page to see what’s coming up at our Houses around the world
